C. D. Guilbeau

Cecilia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, on Monday, June 23, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, for C.D. Guilbeau, 94, who passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2014. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm on Sunday and continue at 7:00 am until 10:45 am on Monday. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Rev. Michael Delcambre will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Con-Celebrant will be Father Lloyd Benoit and Deacon Kenneth Sonnier. Scriptures will be read by Emily Kirby and Tracie Leger. Gift Bearers will be his great grandchildren. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cecilia. A native of Cecilia Mr. Guilbeau graduated from Cecilia High School in 1938, enrolled at L.S.U., but was called to active duty in 1942 during World War II. During his tenure he married his girlfriend, Mayme, in 1943. He was stationed in England for 22 months in the Medical Corps where he achieved a rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his discharge he resumed his studies at L.S.U., where he received his B.A. and Masters Degree. His first teaching assignment was at Arnaudville High School, where he was a classroom teacher, coach, and assistant principal. He later transferred to St. Martin Parish and was appointed coach of Cecilia High Bulldogs. He was the first coach at C.H.S. to coach an eleven-man football team. After serving as an assistant principal, he was appointed principal of Cecilia Primary in 1967 until his retirement in 1977. He then worked with the St. Martin Parish Police Jury in the H.U.D. program. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, served as Eucharistic Minister and was appointed a trustee of the church. He also served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Guilbeau was commander of the American Legion, lifelong member of N.E.A., and served as vice president and president of the L.T.A. in St. Martin Parish He is survived by two sons, Larry Julien Guilbeau and wife, Vicki, of Cecilia, and David Jude Guilbeau and wife, Karin, of Lafayette; three daughters, Frances Duplechien and husband, James, of Cecilia, Phyllis Biglane and husband, Mike, of New Iberia, and Kim Kirby and husband, Lyle, of Mandeville; one sister, Vandelle G. Latiolais of Breaux Bridge; seven grandchildren, Tracie Leger, Todd Guilbeau, Allison Guilbeau, Julien Guilbeau, Emily Kirby, William Kirby, and Tim Biglane; and six great grandchildren, Jaide Leger, Grant Guilbeau, Gavin Guilbeau, Gage Guilbeau, Garron Guilbeau, and Alex Biglane. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Melrose Hollier Guilbeau; his parents, Julien Charles Guilbeau and Elda Champagne Guilbeau-Latiolais; and his step father, Arthur Latiolais Pallbearers will be Larry Julien Guilbeau, David Jude Guilbeau, Todd Guilbeau, Julien Guilbeau, William Kirby, B.J. Latiolais, and Elwood Hollier. Honorary pallbearers will be Grant, Gavin and Gage Guilbeau, James Duplechien, Mike Biglane, and Lyle Kirby. Pellerin Funeral Home of Cecilia, 2238 Bushville Hwy., Cecilia, Louisiana 70521, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements. Pellerin Funeral Home of Cecilia is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com